IFJA Announces Awards May Include Non-Theatrical Films
The Indiana Film Journalists Association has announced that it will permanently change its rules governing eligible films for its annual awards to include VOD and streaming platforms. Starting with the 2020 awards to be announced on Dec. 14, the IFJA will no longer require a movie to play in a theater in order to be included in awards consideration.
The move was made in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic as the traditional venue for cinema, theatrical exhibition, has remained shuttered and many major feature films have seen their release date pushed back to next year. However, IFJA members have discussed the ongoing evolution of the film distribution model for some time and contemplated becoming more platform-neutral.
“The future of ‘going to the movies’ remains in limbo, and time will tell if audiences will return to neighborhood theaters in enough numbers for that format to retain its status as the premier outlet for filmmaking,” said Christopher Lloyd, IFJA spokesman. “As film lovers, it is our fervent hope the exhibitor model revives, as we believe film is a communal art form best experienced in a crowd with the finest sight and sound presentation possible.
“But Indiana critics also want to be proactive in acknowledging that even with theaters still around, movies now receive more total viewership through on-demand rentals, Video on Demand, streaming platforms and Blu-rays/DVDs. It would be short-sighted not to accept, and adjust, to this new reality.”
While the IFJA is dramatically broadening its scope of acceptable platforms for its film awards, it stresses that the parameters of the feature film art form still have not appreciably changed. In order to encompass the largest possible pool of eligible films while excluding broadcast-only and episodic storytelling forms, the group has adopted the following rules.
Eligible films must meet at least one of the following conditions:
Screens in a traditional theatrical setting or at a major Indiana film festival, including Heartland Film Festival and Indy Film Fest.
Premieres on a streaming-media service including Video on Demand and subscription models (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc.).
Screened for IFJA members via theatrical press screening or DVD/digital screener ahead of subsequent wider theatrical/streaming release in a subsequent year.
Titles with the following criteria will not be eligible:
Films that do not meet a minimum running time of 60 minutes
Seasonal/episodic programming originating on streaming or broadcast services
Filmed/streamed performances of a stage play/musical, stand-up comedy, script or book reading, or any other type of live event not specifically originated as a feature film
Television films originated, produced and disseminated with an intent to reach a broadcast audience
About the IFJA: The Indiana Film Journalists Association was established in February 2009. Members must reside in the Hoosier State and produce consistent, quality film criticism or commentary in any medium.